Obituary of Eugene Szelagowski

Eugene Szelagowski, 94, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away on Wednesday, August 29, 2018, at Aspirus Riverview Hospital.

Eugene’s parents, Anton and Valeria Szelagowski, emigrated from Poland. They arrived in Erie, Pennsylvania, before settling in Milwaukee. Eugene, born Dec. 8, 1923, was the youngest of eight children. Two of his siblings were born in Poland. He and his remaining siblings were born in the United States. When Eugene was three years old, his family moved to the town of Sigel. There, his family owned and operated a farm. He lived on the family farm until enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942.

He left for San Diego and then to New Zealand in 1942 and was stationed in New Zealand for six months, training and waiting for orders. He was also stationed at Guadalcanal for further training until seeing active duty in the invasion of Guam. It was in this invasion that he was injured and consequently honorably discharged on June 29, 1945.

Betty Marti, a town of Sherry girl, caught his fancy and they were married on January 19, 1946. Together, they raised three children, Jim, Terry and Gail.

Eugene worked for the City of Wisconsin Rapids until his retirement in 1984. He enjoyed fishing trips with his wife Betty. He liked playing the concertina and pitching in Fast Pitch Softball. Eugene loved a good game of sheepshead. He was a quiet man and a thoughtful, deliberate decision maker.

Survivors include his wife, Betty of Wisconsin Rapids; son, Jim (Beverly) Szelagowski of Park Falls and Sebring, Florida; son, Terry (Pauline) Szelagowski of Wisconsin Rapids, and Gail (Bill Colby) Fuller of Wisconsin Rapids; grandchildren, Shelley (James) Christian of Bradenton, Florida, Jill (Jeremy) Mueller of Chilton, Jay (Mary) Szelagowski of Green Bay, and Jeffrey (Sheila) Szelagowski of Wisconsin Rapids.

He is further survived by step-grandchildren; Kyle Fuller and Kevin Fuller; great-grandchildren; Kailey and Loren Christian, Ben, Max and Maddie Mueller, Jacki and Jenny Szelagowski, and Jordan and Jarrett Szelagowski and step-great grandchildren; Brian, Eric, Alex and Hailey.

Eugene was preceded in death by his siblings, Sophie Wildenaur, Clara Kowalczyk, Marie Nedved, Elizabeth Kowalczyk, John Schilling, Henry Szelagowski and Richard Szelagowski.

The funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. The Rev. Lucas Proeber will officiate. Burial will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Funeral Home on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. The Herman-Taylor Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.taylorfuneralhome.net.